Illegal music downloading on a downward slope: report

Mark Raby, 22nd May 2007

Washington (DC) - A new survey from the Business Software Alliance (BSA) shows that downloading of pirated content among teens has been cut drastically over the past three years, reports the Agence-France Press (AFP).

In 2004, the BSA says than nearly 60% of web users between the age of eight and 18 acknowledged they were illegally downloading music. In 2006, the number dropped to 43%.

Increased fear of malicious files is reported as the main reason for the decline. 62% of surveyed users said they no longer download pirated songs because they didn't want to accidentally download a virus, and 51% were also worried about getting spyware.

Increased legal pressure also accounted for the fall, with 52% saying they feared being in trouble with the law. Right under that was an equally menacing authority, as 48% were afraid of getting in trouble with their parents.

The survery also found that music continues to be the most popular Internet-pirated content, by far. 30% of the surveyed users said they illegally downloaded music, while only 11% said they did the same with software. 8% chimed in for admitting they illegally downloaded movies.